With nothing but pride at stake for his team in the Currie Cup, Sharks coach Dick Muir has left out his Springbok pair of John Smit and Percy Montgomery for the return clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
In the first round, it was the Cheetahs who halted the Sharks’ progress with a 29-18 victory in Durban.
In his 22-man squad that will travel to Bloemfontein, Muir has flank Solly Tyibilika and prop Deon Carstens, who has recovered from injury, back under consideration.
Eighth man Jaco Gouws has been excluded due to a hip problem. The inclusion of flank Warren Britz depends on the results of a concussion test after he had left the field with his face covered in blood in the match against Western Province. It appeared he was kicked on the ground.
Brent Russell will revert to fullback after playing the past two games — when Montgomery was involved — as a makeshift wing.
Commenting on the final match of the season, Muir said: ”We have learnt from the mistakes of our previous encounter against the Cheetahs last month. This will be both a hard game and an important one for us, even though we have been eliminated from the Currie Cup competition.
”Our pride has been dented and this match provides us with the opportunity to restore some of our dignity.” — Sapa
Sharks squad
Backs: Brent Russell, Henno Mentz, Cedric Mkhize, Grant Rees, Adrian Jacobs, Gcobani Bobo, Rudi Keil, Ruan Pienaar, Craig Davidson, Sandile Nxumalo.
Forwards: Solly Tyibilika, Nico Breedt, Jacques Botes, Werner Cronje, Johann Muller (captain), Steven Sykes, Louwtjie Louw, BJ Botha, Brent Moyle, Deon Carstens, Danie Saayman, Warren Britz.